Thu May 22 2003 11:00Sparkling Water Symposium:
Kevin got me started on drinking sparkling water. I don't know why I do this. I think sparkling water tastes awful, yet I'm drinking it. I asked Kevin, why does he drink this water that tastes so awful. Kevin said, "It's an adult beverage." Adult beverage, my eye. That's just a code phrase for "it tastes awful". What is the actual appeal of sparkling water?

Update: Sumana's suggestions, in helpful outline form:

You know that it has been through a factory at some point, and that it is not plain tap.

prestige

safety, quality of water (my hypothesis on why Russians want
their bottled water carbonated)